Foldable closure



R. A. BRENNER ET AL FOLDABLE CLOSURE iehs, 1952 Filed Aug. 27, 1945 Sheets-Sheet l Feb 5, 1952 R. A. BRENNER ET AL 2,584,111

FOLDABLE CLOSURE Filed Aug. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 braced: transversely.

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITEUSTATES PATENT OFFICE y FOLDABLE CLOSURE v Ray A.I BrennerfandMarvinJ. PlaneauxyNew VCastle, Ind., assignors, by mesne assignments, to New Castle Products, Inc., NewY Castle, 71nd.,v

a corporation l' Appui-:ation August *227, 1945, serial No. .612,816

claims. (ci. 16o-s4) y, This invention relates to a foldable closure suitable for closing an opening thusv serving, as a door, and extensible into openingA closingy position and collapsiblefor exposing the opening.v

Heretofore closures of this general type have been provided with suitable curtain ,orf covering material. and usually have expanded laterally from` the plane of the closure ,to one side or both sides .of said plane. Such closures have a tendency to sag vertically landcurve in long lengths.

Nl f

Other closures have. mechanism which has colcharacterfwith at least one horizontally collapsible land extensible linkage. preferably ofhinge or strap plate stock type in combination `with at least-'oneA vertically lcollapsible and extensible linkage, preferably of bar stock type, the latter linkage being extensible awayy from, although 'connectedto-the former,`A and collapsible toward the /rst mentioned linkage. v i

Another feature of therinvention resides'in connecting l'adjacent pivotal connections together 'whereby 'sag and lateral curvature are-substantiallyvv eliminated or conversely the collapsible-and extensible structureis inherently mutually Other objects and features v'of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter; f The full natureof the invention will be understood'from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims. Y In thel drawings Fig. 1 is an elevational View 'ofthe end portions and an intermediate vpor- 'tionof a closure in extended position, the. covering o'rcurtain being omitted *for clearness,vand' the embodiment illustrated herein includes upper and `lower Vcomposite interconnected.l transverse collapsing units andan intermediate semi-in- `dependent horizontally collapsingunit.

Fig.. 2 is Va topplan view thereof in. extended Y, position .and with the covering or` curtain in cluded.

l -fFig..3 is a similarview of a complete ,the collapsed position.

. Fig..r4 is a perspective viewof a centralclonnecf tion,being .a pair offull length leaves or .straps itially herein.

In Fig, 1 of the drawings I0 indicates a wall o r the like having opening II therein providedv with an overheadbottom slotted tubulartrack I2 extending across the same and within which are suitable trolley structures I3 and I4, the former being connected tothe lead post I5, and one or more ofthe latter and intermediate trolleys I4 beingprovided and .connected to the closure in the plane of the opening.

The lead post I5, such as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 most clearly, mayhave cushion strip I6 secured. thereto and same may engager bumper socket strip I1 carried bywall. I8 of opening II andin the plane thereof... TheV lead post may be provided at opposite sides with suitable handles 19,- catch or latch means, and/or key actuated lock means, allnot shown, since same formno part of the present disclosure.`

The rearpost 2! may be of channel section type and detachably mounted as at 2i to the opposite wall 22 of opening II., When desired itmay be permanently mounted. Also if desired, whenever over head track and/or a bottom track is not employed, the entire closure may be hingedly mounted` by hinge means between the wall. 22 and rear'post 20. In certain areas re regulations require closures to swing. Thus the present invention can readily be extended to that field from which it heretofore has been excluded and this is possible because the closure is ofnonsagging as well as noncurving type, as stated in- As Yalso stated hereinbei'ore, the present invention is illustrated-as including a pair of opposed composite units,'s`ee Fig. 1. The upper-unit comprises a horizontally collapsible seriesA and a vertically collapsible series B interconnected as hereinafter described.

"",This' constitutes the simplest form of the inventionl' Another and inverted.v composite unit comprises lowermost horizontally collapsible ,series A' and thereabove and interconnected thereto is 'the vertically Acollapsible series B'. 'Therebetweem if desired, may be included one or more horizontally collapsible series C, similar, if not substantially identical to series A or A' but not connected to` either series B or B.' although connectible to series A and A'y as hereinafter described.V y l Since series A,r A' and Care substantially identical, a., description of series' A will suffice for all. Sincef series B and Bhare substantially identical, valthough reversed, a descriptionof series B will suicefol. bh.

In Fig-.1 ithevied p's'tjl'a has' secufreufto, its

f este@ bestias geen@ 511.911 ,es raged bracket 24 that straddles the pivotally connected straps 50 and 5I of half hinge length and associated therewith is the pintle 25 suitably connected at its upper end to lead trolley I3. The bracket 24 kor post I5 may be connwecmted thereto, as desired.

In any event, pintle 25 provides a hinge axis parallel and in close proximity to the lead post Therebeneath and suitably secured to the` lead post is the inwardly directed verticznxilly ,elcin-g.VVV gated plate 2B having a vertical, elongated slot 2 therein, which is in verticalalignment iwi-th the axis of pintle 25.

A pair of crossed bars 28 and 29 of equal length are pivotally connected together at their center portions (not shown). 28, adjacent lead post I5, mounts a headedpin 30 that rides in the slot 21. bar 29 adjacent lead post I5 is apertured and mounts pivot pin 3 I (a rivet-like member) which isV carried bythe lower en'd 32 of pintle 25 upon an axis. transverse to the pintle axis.- Y

In a similar but reverse manner the rear post 20 mounts a U-shaped bracket 33 in turn mounting pintle 34 having a pivotal axis .parallel and in close proximity. to the rear post.. This bracket straddles theA adjacent pivotally connected ,ends of the half length strap .or hinge plates Scand .8 I..

Beneath` the aforesaid .is .apair .of elongated, equal. length bars 35. .and 36 pivotally. .connected together at their mid portions. .(not shown) The lower end of bar. 35mounts headed ..pi n.31 riding in elongated yslot 38. in. inwardlydirected. vertically elongated platev 39 suitably secured to rear postl... This vertically disposed slotis invertical alignment withthe axistof. vertically disposed pintle 34. The upper end .of bar 36 .mox1ntsipivo t pin'llll, in the Yform of a rivet or the. vv1ike.vthat seats in the transverse aperture Ma in the lower end 4I of pintle .3Ll

Between the adjacent ends of bars 2li-7 2!!` and 35.-36 are interposed a suitablenumbenof sim# ilar length crossedbars 42 and y43 pivotally con-y nected together,V at theirmid-points as atMrand y n d a pair. of

I half v length hinge. vplates` Yor s'tra'p's.V tlierebetween .y is the required...numberr et' socalledl4 full length hinge plates whichareghinge..connected .together at ,their mid-points, all 'ashe'enafter to lil The lowerl .end ci bar The upper end of be"y described. i Therefore, there. are, provided as .1

man pai'rso .equal length Fcrossedfloars.` as there aifepairsfof .full length strap hinges plus one, or if fthe f tw lpairsof vhalf length plates be considered the equivalent of one pair of full length plates` .numerically 'fand' for'spacing. distance in i the plane .of the closure, .thenthenumber'of pairs of `crossed bars will equal the number of 'pairs of full Iengthhinge plates', (actual and` equivalent) The critical'point to be observed ls that when sc ,arranged all barvpivots 45 lie immediately.. adjacent the. hinge connectionA between all central hinge'fconnections of the' plates, and each g jux-.

tapositionedfpair vofvertical and horizontal pivots may" be connected together if desired, as'filluse trated, andin the manner indicatedat 32 and 41.14 arides rqre 11,115?Selfforgfhergnaftet 'i Reference will now be 'hadtc the strap or' plate hinge series A, which is horizontally collapsible as distinguished from bar series B which is ver tically collapsible, since pins 30 and 31 lower in y-slots 21 and 38 respectively as the closure is col- .lengthmstrap or plate hinge members 50 and 5I.

These, see Figs. 2 and `3, are longitudinally ribbed /aswat 50a and 5Ia respectively for reenforcement or stiiening-. The adjacent ends are notched as at52' and 53 tororm tongues 54 and 55 that intert. Each ofthe tongues at'its end it curled Herein each half length hinge is offset as at 56 and 5'1in registration with the notches aforesaid and where the tongues depart from the body portion. Itwilli-be noted that one hing-e has two spaced tongues and -the other enf-intermediate tongue and'` same -intert'land occupy the space between the arms oflbracket-ZLI Ifadesired, where the A cooperating*V notches and tong-uesv engage, same mayconstitute a stop forlimiting: them@ tensible movement of `the half hinges.

The single tonguevhalt hinge 5I: vat its' other end` 4includes a `pair'` of ..curledf.-tongues l59 #and the double' tongue half hinge. 501m; its otherend includes intermediatecurledutongue 58. The resulting pivotall sockets r determine maximumfhorl.- zontal movement in .the collapse .of seriesfig` The right hand pair-'of'.half: hinges .50. and. are .reversed as .it were, that -is,. if' Ithe left-half hinge. on one. side has. a doubleV tongue .the right half hinge on .that'..sanie -side haslftheingle tongue and .voce versa .relativeT to Vthe vother. side. Numerals 60 to BS-:fiinelusve .indicate parts;l at the right end; similar; .to partsat Athe -left end indicated .by numeralsv 50,.;-110 .59g inclusive.

Interposed between thcfpairsx` of.l half hinges Sr- 5I :and .60e-:GLI are` thej desired numberbf horizontally. crossed ffull; length strap Vo plate hinge, members .,'IIl and` .'II.1 Obviously,y at.; op, posite ,ends there, Eis; provided. 1a ypailf' of curled tonguesV` I2 and a singlefintermediate tongue'. 13:.

Each hinge includesgloneitudnalribbnsfreenforcement 10a and lla respectives' @Magath the: twcf,are-,lonsitlldilllielise@ Aperturas. 14. and -15' mi@ :pmnsedgqr: wier 0rcurtain..mpgniiriafpurgesgsi1thejtwe .C03/.err ings at opposite', sigles-being indicated, at-16 zontallyA crossed. full length hingesl '10 andfII are illustrated. l Hereinv each lincludes a entralpcrltion .80. and 8 I; respectively.. constituting. a .fbias portion preferably.; ,having the same..` angularE Yref lation. to -its contiguous. half hingegpor-tion that the post mounted-tonguesbf Vthe .half .length hingeshave relative tothe lattenfor the. former inclination may slightlydiffer therefrom, asillusel trated more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. lV

In'Fig. 4V central biaspor-ticn ministra@ hing III includes an upwardly directed! centralnctch 81.**extendirig` from therllweraedgei tapprcxiniatelydmidway *between` the `top and' bottom edges. In-like-'mann'er hingeflifincludesa downwardly directed central notch 83 extending from the topvedge of bias portion 8| of hinge 1|.

The upper portion of bias portion 80 includes three .horizontally disposed strips 84, 85`and 86, the vmidportions .of which are curved as at 84a, 85a and 86ctfrespectively,- the intermediate portion 85aisdirected oppositely relative to like directed portions 84a, and 86a to form a pintle or hinge bearing. v.In like manner thelower portion of the `bias portion- 8| includes Vthree horizontally disposed strips 81, 88 and 89, the midportions of which are curved( as at 81a, 88a and 89a, respectively, and intermediate portion 88a is directed oppositely relative to like directed portions 81a and 89a to form a pintle or hinge bearing.

posed, that is, portions 85a Aand 88a lie behind the pintle 90, see right disclosure, and also lie in front'of pintle 90, see left disclosure.

If desired, headed pintle 9| may extend the full height of the closure and simultaneously connect the adjacent endsA of all horizontally collapsible vertically superposed'plates. This serves asa covering foldingmea'ns, vas well as vaddi-- tional closure reenforcement. Each pintle 90 mounts at its outermost end, at the upper end in series A and lower end in 'series A', a washer 92. If a trolley|4 is not to be associated therewith, said washer may be of the friction grip type. If trolley I4 is tobe connected to pintle 90, thelatter extends as at 93 not only through washer 92 but through bore l4a in trolley |4 and the aperture |4b therein exposes'the end of said pintle which may carry a retaining head, such as nut 94.

f Each pintle 90 is vertically aligned relative to superposed pivots '45 and 46 and the pintle is extended as at 95 and attenedto wing formation and is centrally apertured at 96. This wing is interposed between the pivotally connected ends of links 42 and 43 andpivot 45 passes through aperture 96 as well. Pintle90, adjacent wing 96, maybe shouldered, as it werefaty 9`|v and carry washer 98 upon which bears the adjacent edge of the strap hinge. vSince all central pivots 90 preferably are connected to adjacent pivot '45, theresult vis-inutual bracking, that is, the horizontal series does not sag because of the vehicle series and the vertical series does not buckle or bend because of the horizontal series. There thus results asubstantially self-bracing closure which can be'solely supported by the rear post muntingif, as and when desired. l

Also, all mechanism is concealed within the covering. f ,flhebiasing permits, see Fig. 3, the hingesjo substantially abut, so that when collapsed the covering folds retain folded relation,

l do not contact each other and do not crease.

.As previously stated, a lower composite unit B' and'A may be "employed but same are actually reversed relative'to series A and B, although the '"same'relationship'between series A and B is maincation and improvement upon the McGuire et al. Patent No. 2,220,939 of November 12, 1940, and the Oberdorfer et al. Patent No. 2,321,507 ofA June 8, 1943, in that the lazy tongs 'thereofr are not required herein and upon Shearer No. 2,373,146 of April 10, 1945, wherein the lazy tongsareomitted butthe .hinge plates are diicult to assemble and require special operations and handling since one passes partially. 'through the: cooperating hingeand then must be turned .only in a .predetermined direction for intertting registration.

The present invention is, as stated, directed to novel, inventive, commercial form of closure hinge mechanism which omits all the disadvantages of the foregoing closures and which retains all the advantages of the same. y

While the invention has been illustratedvan described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as well as others which'will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, al1 are consid-ered to be within thebroad scopeof-the invention, reference being had to thegappended claims. The invention claimed is: 1. In a foldable closure having posts at opposite ends and relatively movable toward and away from each other for collapseand-extension respectively, the combination of strap type hinge means of lazy tongs type and having parallel pivotal connections, alternate rpivotal connections being disposed substantially in a common plane at all times, said hinge means at opposite endsvhaving pivotal connection to the posts, crossedllnk means disposed ina plane normal to the planeof action of said hinge means and movable Ain= the said common plane, the said link means including parallel pivotal connections disposed substantially transversely of the common plane, means connecting said alternate pivotalconnections to certain of the link connections, other means pivotally connecting the upper extreme ends of said link means, adjacent the hinge means, to the posts and pin and slot connections between each post and the adjacent lower extreme end of said link means, the Yhinge and link means collapsing and extending in planes transversely to each other. 2. A foldable closure of the character defined by claim 1 wherein there is provided between the posts another pair of hinge and link means similarly connected togetherA and similarly connected to the posts, the last mentioned'hingejf'and'link means being reverselypositioned relative'to lthe first mentioned hinge and' link means. j 3. A foldable closure of the character' dened by claim 1 wherein there is provided between4 the posts another'pair of hinge and link means simi# larly connected together and similarly connected to the posts, and an additional strap type" hinge means, similar tothe one rst mentioned and in.- terposed between the pairs of strap,` type hinge means and similarly secured to the posts. 4. A foldable closure ofthe character dened by claim 1 wherein there is `provided'betw'en the posts another pair of hinge means similarly connected together and similarly connected to the posts, the link means being disposed between the pairs of hinge means.

5. A foldable closure of the character deiined by claim 1 wherein there is provided between the posts additional hinge and link means similarly connected together and similarly connected to 7 ihefposts;` the.: hinge and. -link'means being.. in..- a reversed'.-position,`

Ina-Ifoldablefclosure. having 1a.,.lead .post structure .and a.-.parallel rear post. structure, the combinationoia horizontally collapsible. series of articulated ...rigid imembers disposed in; a: horizontalazone, secured-atopposite endstothe strucf tures, Qand ahorizontally collapsible series: of are ticulatedlrigidmembers disposedinra vertical zone operatively; seeurecltoy `the '.senies: disposedirria. horizontal zone and collapsible.. .and .extensible therewithr,

'7. An.l articulated hingezstructure including in combination 2- pluralityf of n pairs of crossingghinstrl Dlatessequentially connected end to endanhinse plates having a commonwidthfand leaf portions of 1 commonflength, the.. hinge `structure having depth/substantially equal tothe: Widthiof. a single hinge4 .-Dlate.. eachpair :,of. ,hinge lplates-having central'. pivotal connection, a; pair of. half. hinge plates .at each extreme .end Aoi the vv sequentially connected .and crossed seriesfof plates; means pive otally: connecting the remote Yends of the. haii' hinge plates-to the adjacent ends of the adjacent pair...of sequentially interconnected hinge plates;v

and means pvotally connecting together the ad- .jacent ends..l of ;.the.said1half. hingeyplatesand supportingsameat least Onesideedge of each platepfythe -crossingpiates at its. .central pore tion...being. suitably -notchedfout from that side edge .toat least: the mid-position for reception-oi the other. .plate of the pair` of plates.-

8..;A f hinge structure as `rcened .by claim. 7 wherein ai thep central,l pivotal connection between platescomprises semi-cylindrical -portions, said portions .each Vpartiallyembracing Aand seating a hinge pin, the-portions Vloeing oppositeiy 4directed forJ4 .complete lo-ut longitudinally offset envelop-,r mentofthe-hinge pin.

9.;- An Larticulated. hinge .structure including A in combinationa. plurality of pairsof crossinghinge platesl sequentially connected end to send, all hingel plates having a common-.Widthand leai portions oi-V common length,V the hinge .structure having adepth substantially equal .to the. .widthl of a single hinge plate, each. pair of hinge plates having centralpivotal connection, .a pair of. hal-f hinge plates ateachlextreme end oi the sequen: tially connected and crossed series of plates;

meansv pivotally connecting the.` remote. ends. .ofA

the halnhingeplates to the adjacent, ends ofA the adj acentpair. of sequentially interconncted hinge plates.. and meansv pivotally connecting` together theadjacent endsofthesaid` half hinge plates and supporting sameeach fulllength hinge plate centralY portion ".being, notched .'outgat one edge, and theunnotched remainderbeing y slit longitudinallyto form at least two superposed portions, eachof ,whichV includes a semi-'cylindrical formation and Voppositely' directed, the semi-cylinders of Aeachofthe' two portions" enveloping inlongi-A tudinally Aoffset relationa hinge'pin common to both portions, the semi-cylinders'of vone plate portion registering in the notching` inthe other plate.

10.Y A foldable closure ofj the character` defined by claim 1 wherein -thereis provided betweenthe posts another pair of hinge and linkmeans simi-l larly connected together-and similarlyconnected to .the posts.'z the last'. mentioned ihinge-andclinir means being. reversely positioned.: relative fto the. first .mentioned .hinge and 'link..means-,a`ooth .fhinge means for closure .collapse extending equally. and oppositely fromzthecommon plane...

1l. Affoldablei closure l.of the..-character;.defined by claim/1 whereinfthere provided betweemthc postszanotherspair of hinge and link means. simi: larly connected together and similarly connected toI the; poster-as *saideFirst-mentionedV hinge sand link-means, `and an'additional strap typehinge means, .similar Ato. the 4one :rst mentioned and interposedy between the pairs of strap typey .hinge means arld-si1a^iilarly secured to vthe -postsrt all hinge meansf'orclosure collapse extending equally and oppcsitely-v-from` thecommon plane. 12. A=foldable closure ofA the lcharacter defined by claim l wherein there -is provided between'the posts another rpair of hinge means similarlyconnected together `and similarly connected to y:the posts as said inst-mentioned hinge-hand link means, the link means being 'disposed'Jbe-tween the-pairs of hinge means, both hinge means-for closure collapse extending equally and oppositely from'the commonV plane. V13;'A foldable .closure of the character -dened by claim 1 wherein there is provided'fbetweemthe posts additional hinge and linir'meansi similarly connected together and similarly connected-to the posts? as .said 'inst-mentioned hingeA and. Alink means;v the hinge and link means-being in reversed position, all'hinge means' for Vclosure collapse* einv tending equally and oppositelyfrom ,the common plane. 1

14. Ina foldable .closure having a lead post and a parallel rear post,..two series oarticula'ted' collapsible and extensible rigid members,` each .series attached fat. one. of itsends. to .one post and at the, other of itsends.. to V,the .other post,1the, axis on which thememloers of one-series ,collapsev and extend beingsin .planes normal to .the .planes .of the axis' on which. the members` fofthefother series. collapse and extend,.and means` operatively connecting .the two .series l.together intermediate of their ends.

15.. `Inafolding closure,.a.ffirst'1a-zy tongs str-.uca ture horizontally. collapsible. and extesibleizra horizontal,L plane; a. second lazy tongs structure horizontally collapsible and extensible inaverte. cal plane, pintles A for the. ends, of. themembers. of saidstructures, some. of. thev pintles of.y the. first. andv second'lazy tongs structures being .connected togetherso that the two lazy tongs. struct'nresfare. caused .to collapse and. extendequally andQsimnl-L taneously.,

RAYA. BRENNER. Vivietnziri J, PLANEAUX;

v Renanlnxronsorrnn .i i The following; .referencesfare oi :record in.: v.the le otths patenti- UNITED sfrATEsgPATENTs Number Name Datei..

1,749,191... Nordel,.. Mar. 4', 1930 17,907,021`. Va'IlSllIlt.,v V May 2,"I933 2,220,939. f McGuire NOV. 12; 1940 2,321,507 Oberdorier. June. 8; 1943 27,373,146. ,Y Shearer 'r Apr. Y,10,1945 

